Author Topic: Highplains contender stock set came today (Read 2953 times)

pastorp · « **on:** June 22, 2011, 02:51:37 PM »

With all I have read about these I guess I expected it to at least fit my frame. Which it does not. You can't move the trigger guard to reset the action.
I called the owner & he told me to relieve some of the wood where the trigger guard is. Guess I expected more for over $300.00
I'm getting off to a bad start with high plaines.

Regards,

Grumulkin · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2011, 03:01:34 AM »

Thanks for letting us know. I'll add High Plains to my list of stock purveyors never to use.

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:13:09 AM »

wow $300. bucks and don't fit and told you how to fix it that would be the last time i buy from them
and tell all my Friends DONT BUY

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2011, 06:18:23 AM »

Yep, thanks for the heads-up. For $300.00, the damn thing better fit right. DP

DEACONLLB · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2011, 12:00:04 PM »

Byron
You might try shimming the stock down with some flat washers in the top part of the stock I had a lot of trouble with High plains before I got the stock to fit and not go off when you touched the trigger. I had to add washers on top because hammer hit wood before it was on full cock and also on the bolt because it was too long, I also ordered a forend with one hole for 10 inch barrel and got a 2 hole for a 14 inch barrel, they said 3 weeks on order but took 5 so no more for me from them.To their credit it did look good. After rereading your post If I now understand right you are having a problem with the trigger guard hitting the forend right, if so contact David D and he can give you some info. on how to take care of the problem. I have made a number of forends and I always have to work on that area several times to get the right clearance, check the angle with a TC forend and that will tell you what you have to do also. Hope this is of some help.

Deaconllb

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2011, 02:09:44 PM »

Byron-

Sorry to hear of your situation. My experience has been the opposite. I have a number of sets from Jacob and never had an issue. In fact, the fit has been exceptional in each instance.

I did have one buttstock develop a hairline crack. I sent it in, and he promptly took care of it at absolutely no charge.

I hope you can get your problem resolved quickly. By the way, could the difference be due to G2/original Contender variances?

What amazes me is not that there was a problem but how a few posters are quick to throw the axe and write off any future business based on a single incident -- an incident which hasn't even fully played out yet. If we did that with EVERY vendor that had a bad day, there wouldn't be ANY businesses left to patronize.

Just sign me Happy with High Plains in south central Texas...

Of course, I also really like the set I got from Tony G's (Dr. Tony Gettel):

And the forends/grips I have had from Dave D over the years have been exceptional. The forend below from Dave D is one of my all-time favorites and is matched with a High Plains buttstock:

Ladobe · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2011, 03:59:59 PM »

Sorry to hear of your disappointment... but surprised you are taking it lying down.

Any custom maker can let a bad item get out the door once in a while. It doesn't make much sense for a simple action like a TC, but it does happen. That alone is not a reason the axe them IMO, after all s-_t happens. But, and this is a BIG BUT... any stockman who has done so, is informed about it by his customer and tells his customer to fix it himself is certainly one to axe and not give a recommend for to others. There really is no excuse for the mistake in the first place, and certainly no excuse for not taking whatever steps at any cost to make it right. Had he instead told the customer to send it right back to him at his expense so HE could fix it immediately and get it right back out to his customer there is room for forgiveness. Matters not how many stocks his customers have been happy with... they are all over shadowed by his unwillingness to stand behind his work.

IMO -YMMV

jy951 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2011, 07:58:39 PM »

I'm hoping the stockmaker told you to send it back or instructed you on how you could fix it if that was your preference. Otherwise, to tell you to fix their mistake is not right.

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2011, 09:05:30 PM »

I'm trying to remain in the middle here and only venturing a theory. When my stock cracked, I talked to Jacob and noted that I was hesitant to try and repair it myself and was afraid I may do more harm than good. Keep in mind this was an older stock, too. He didn't hesitate and said send it in to be taken care of.

Now, if Byron's repair seemed quite simple, perhaps Jacob didn't want to seem insultful by saying it should come back to have a few thousandths removed. Or perhaps he didn't want to cause any delay in Byron getting to shoot it.

I just have a feeling that Jacob may have misinterpreted Byron's call and perhaps addressed it as one looking for advice/info for the quickest "fix" and may have assumed that Byron did indeed want to handle it himself.

Of course, this -- like I noted -- is only a guess as I was not privy to either side of the conversation.

And like Ladobe noted, any company can send out a product that is not up to par. With humans involved, mistakes will happen. But the established reputation of High Plains indicates to me a continued pattern of good service. Thus, I think the benefit of the doubt should come into play.

What I would do is give him a call Monday and let him know you'd prefer he'd take care of the final fitting. And if you would rather send an e-mail but don't have the address handy, drop me a PM as I think I still have it in my files.

Again, I hope this gets worked out quickly for you as I know how frustrating it can be to get a custom product that is not quite what one expected.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2011, 02:40:42 AM »

Well gentlemen, I have a couple of very nice walnut wood stock sets; one for my Encore and one for my Contender, and I didn't pay anywhere close to $300 for them and they fit perfectly. Make whatever excuse you like, but having to gunsmith a product that costs over $300 that is supposed to be made to fit a gun with known precise dimensions is absolutely unacceptable in my opinion.

pastorp · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2011, 07:10:24 AM »

I did tell Jacob that I was not comfortable with opening up the inletting and he did say he would take it back and refund my money but made no offer to inlet the stock where it would fit properly.

The way I understand our conversation is that I can fix it myself or return it for a refund.

I appreciate your comments, regards,

rescue_171 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2011, 11:38:41 AM »

I too have a High Plains stock set for my G1 and I love it. I got the semi-finished stock and finished it myself for half the price and it fit tight but great no play at all. I highly recomend then to anyone.

David D. · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2011, 03:18:36 PM »

I have no experience with their products and this isn't intended to put them down. I take it from the price this was a finished stock. If so one must have great confidence in themselves that they would finish without checking fit and function. If it were a semi most will need a little fitting before finishing. Making grip sets myself the grip and the forearm will be on and off a frame and barrel several times during the process to check fit and functionality.

pastorp · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2011, 04:32:34 PM »

This was advertised as a finished stock set. The order form asked questions about the frame and barrel. When I called to tell Jacob the butstock did not fit my action he said there was some differences in the contender frames depending on vintage. Not g1 g2 but original frames. I asked him why his order form did not address this issue and he really did not have a answer.

I could have sent him the frame if he wanted it but that was not asked for.

Honestly the way I feel right now is that neither option offered is really acceptable. I ordered the stock set, paid my money, and what I want is for him to make it fit. I really don't want a refund. Maybe he misunderstood me but I don't think so.

The right thing for Jacob to do is cover shipping both ways to return it and open up the inletting where it works. If he wants the frame I would be willing to send that along as well.

Regards,

pastorp · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2011, 02:03:49 PM »

Well guys I just got off the phone with Jacob, the owner of high plains gunstocks. He said that anyone who owns guns has to have the ability to shave off the wood to fit this stock to the action. If I pay shipping both ways he will open it up or he will refund my money if I send it back. Thats my options.
#1 fix it myself
#2 pay shipping both ways & he will fix it
#3 send it back for a refund

And he sugested that I must be pretty dumb to not be able to fix it myself.......

Well guys, Sign me off as unhappy with high plains gunstocks In southeast Alaska.................

I'm returning his stock for a refund & I'll never buy anything else from Jacob Meyer..

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2011, 03:24:05 PM »

Wow.

And they were on my "short list" of who I was going to pick to make me a high comb stock set for mine.

Not anymore.

Errors happen, no problem. But that attitude is unforgivable.

I would send back the set for a full refund.

I'll be deleting them from my list of vendors.

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2011, 03:58:14 PM »

Wow...I am shocked and disappointed to hear that. But like Slowpoke Slim noted, that will certainly affect any of my future purchases as well.

Thanks for posting, Byron. If my hands wouldn't be in the poor shape that they are, I'd offer to take care of the final fitting for you, but working with tools and items that require finesse are no longer in the cards for me.

Again, thanks for bringing this to light.

pastorp · « **Reply #17 on:** June 27, 2011, 07:56:18 PM »

Thanks guys for all the support & kind words. I really hate to find a vender with this attitude. However It's over now and the stockset is in the mail. Now I guess I'll find out how Jacob handles a refund........

Lifes too short to let these things throw us for a loupe. Any sugestions on a maker for a custom stock set? I still want one.

Bobby Thank you for the offer to do the final fitting if you could. I remember reading you had suffered a illness that disabled you ,over on specialiry pistol forums. I've never been very handy at fixing things plus I suffered a stroke last july which has not helped. A man's got to know his limitations. But I do appreciate the thought.

Regards,

Ladobe · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2011, 06:45:04 AM »

"This was advertised as a finished stock set. The order form asked questions about the frame and barrel. When I called to tell Jacob the butstock did not fit my action he said there was some differences in the contender frames depending on vintage. Not g1 g2 but original frames. I asked him why his order form did not address this issue and he really did not have a answer."

So if everything you've said is true, besides
1. not finishing the set to fit as contracted and he was paid in full to do...
2. he is not taking full responsibility for that by being willing to correct his mistake at his expense...
3. and he also makes up white lies as well as an excuse to try to cover his tracks.
(ie, I never had a factory or custom grip/stock that didn't fit ANY vintage of Contender frame I've owned since 1968 - and thats a heck of a lot of frames)
Doesn't matter how many sets he shipped that were as advertised with no problems. His apparent poor business attitude/poor customer service in your case makes anything ordered from him a poor choice IMO.

You might try another poor businessman for a stock set based on all the furniture (& barrels) his shop made for me over the years, Bullberry. Never had a problem with any of the furniture, and you get a lot of high wood quality for the buck there. But you usually do have to deal with long lead times though. Unless its changed in recent years, BBW doesn't offer laminates.

And I recently learned here on GBO that Bullberry's ex stockman (pre VVCG days) Justin Sip is making custom grip/stock sets again with his own company. Justin is an excellent stock maker that does very good work, and is a great person to deal with. I have no idea on lead times with him though. Kind of wish I was in the market for another set just so I could have Justin make me another.

FWIW

pastorp · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2011, 08:03:51 AM »

I googled Justin Sip and his business came right up. He did not show wood or prices but maybe after I get the refund for this stockset I'll give him a call.

Thanks for the tip....

Regarding the honesty of my statements, I have recounted this incident as accurately as I can. I can only go by what Jacob said to me and my statements to him. There is always 2 sides to every story. That's why I took sweetwyominghomes advice and called yesterday for the second time just to be sure there was no misunderstanding. Of course if you would like his side of the story your free to call him @ 402-560-2567

Regards,

Ladobe · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2011, 11:59:13 AM »

Didn't mean to imply what you said wasn't true Byron. Some people don't convey things they say on the phone any better than they type them, so was just leaving a small window open for the stockmaker. Sounds to me like you've been more than descent about the whole thing and given him every chance to make it right.

I think you'll like Justin. He's a nice guy who not only made great furniture at Bullberry, he also handled most of the walk in and calls from their customers. Sometimes that was a hard place to be getting stuck between Fred's promises to customers, and his later excuses to them. Fred means well, but is the first to admit he's not a very good businessman.

Larry

stoutstuff · « **Reply #21 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:10:55 AM »

My 1st and only stock and forearms came from Gunstocks Inc. They were unfinished but all I had to do was a little sanding to make sure everything had clearance including the barrel and of course a finish. Good experience with them.
Stoutstuff

DEACONLLB · « **Reply #22 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:46:11 AM »

Bryon I have had a number of Boyd custom stocks and no fit problems on any of them. But as has been said that is why I now stick to TC they fit and dont cost an arm and a leg and a lifetime warrenty to go with them.

Deaconllb

Ladobe · « **Reply #23 on:** June 30, 2011, 08:09:29 PM »

My only experience with Boyds is the exact opposite. I built a custom Ruger 10/22 about 10-11 years ago, why I'll never know

, with all the best parts. Then bought a so called Boyds finished drop-in Burchell thumbhole .920 for it. It is not only not a finished drop-in stock, it would take some doing to fix it to the way it should have been to start with. I didn't bother, I don't like the 10/22's anyway, so just relegated it to the safe to collect dust (and it's still collecting it). I invested a lot of money to only shoot less than 50 rounds to test fire it, so it was not one of my better ideas.

pastorp · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2011, 05:12:50 AM »

Don't feel too bad Ladobe, I have had a few of those. Not better ideas myself.

Regards,

I make oil · « **Reply #25 on:** August 07, 2011, 09:52:42 AM »

Sorry to drag this old thread back up guy's but I had to comment. I too have a Highplains stock for my wifes contender and I absolutely LOVE it. It is a little heavy but the quality in my opinon is top knotch. I am sorry to hear of your bad experience but to be truthful this is the best stock for a contender I have come across. I planned on buying another this year for one of my Contenders. I hope I don't have a similar experience on my next one but if I do I will post it up.

Flynmoose · « **Reply #26 on:** August 07, 2011, 06:02:54 PM »

I guess I will wait until Gunstocks Inc fills a bunch of orders...or until the weather heasd south!
FM

Ladobe · « **Reply #27 on:** August 08, 2011, 09:09:26 PM »

Quote

Sorry to drag this old thread back up guy's but I had to comment. I too have a Highplains stock for my wifes contender and I absolutely LOVE it.

I'd bet there are a lot of folks very happy with their stocks from this maker. And as said some slipping out that shouldn't have should not be an automatic axe of this marker, it happens with any company. But the customer service attitude and lack of customer service for what is his mistake in the first place certainly is more than enough to give him the axe on my list. There are just too many others out there that make nice stocks for the TC's and do stand behind them 110% without question to bother with this guy IMO.

pastorp · « **Reply #28 on:** August 09, 2011, 05:51:12 AM »

Update on my Highplaines stockset.......Jason did refund the cost of the stockset but not the shipping. So my lesson with Highplains cost me almost $30.00.

Guess it could a been worse..

Regards,